On Oct. 9, a report surfaced that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh would have a lucrative new contract offer within a month.
Three weeks and one embarrassing sign-stealing scandal later, the Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that Michigan has withdrawn that contract offer.
According to the initial report, the contract extension would have made Harbaugh the highest paid coach in the Big Ten.
But the sign-stealing scandal first reported Oct. 19 has once again placed the Wolverines program under a cloud. The NCAA is investigating claims that Michigan illegally scouted and recorded opposing sidelines during games in a bid to learn signals.
The school has already suspended assistant Connor Stalions, allegedly a central figure in the illegal operation.
Harbaugh, of course, served his own three-game suspension to start this season. Michigan self-imposed the penalty in the wake of NCAA recruiting infractions.
The 59-year-old Harbaugh is currently under contract through 2026. Yet there had already been speculation for months that, new contract offer or not, he might opt to return to the NFL.
Michigan (8-0) is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation, and it remains to be seen if the current scandal will take a toll on performance. Because there will be more bad news to come as the NCAA investigates.
Fans quickly reacted to the contract news.
[On3.com]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.